Mill Race and Launder

The headrace (or leat) is the channel bringing water from the Crowdundle Beck to the mill. It starts its journey at the weir and control sluice which can be seen about a quarter of a mile upstream from the mill. The headrace continues almost level while the river falls down a series of small rapids, so there is a difference of about 4m (13 feet) of water to drive the waterwheels. Down-stream of the small footbridge the water can be directed along the wooden channel, the launder, to the waterwheels or down the bypass spillway back into the river when the mill is not in use.

Replacing the Weir

In the summer of 2025 a long running project to replace the wier came to fruition. The old weir was becoming undermined and was in danger of collapse during big storm events. The weir is essential for the mill as it maintains the head of water that is needed for the mill to run. A collapse of the weir would mean that milling would have to stop.

The National Trust Riverlands Project which is improving rivers all over the country became involved to create a scheme that would benefit wildlife as well as maintaining the water supply for the mill. The aim for our weir was to create a rock ramp instead of a single weir as this will be easier for wildlife such as fish and crayfish to move upstream. The diagram below shows the design for the rock ramp. Eventually the design and all the permissions were in place and the work was carried out during the summer of 2025 when river levels were fairly low.

Almost as soon as the project was complete the rain started to fall and river levels rose with flood warnings out for the Eden Valley. The picture below shows the water level on the Crowdundle Beck quite high, but levels rose even higher the next day and the sluice was overtopped. The new rock ramp came out of this event apparently unscathed, fortunately.